Carlo Ancelotti: How the ex-Real Madrid Manager Get Sentenced for Tax Fraud

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Carlo Ancelotti, current manager of Brazil's national football team and former Real Madrid coach, has been sentenced by a Madrid court to one year in prison and fined €386,000 (approximately $452,000) for tax fraud related to his image rights income during his first spell at Real Madrid in 2014.

Spanish prosecutors had initially sought a much harsher penalty—nearly five years in prison and a €3.2 million fine—but the court ultimately handed down a lighter sentence. 

Ancelotti was accused of failing to declare over €1 million in image rights earnings, instead only reporting his salary from Real Madrid.

The court found that he had used shell companies to conceal these earnings.

For the 2015 tax year, Ancelotti was acquitted, as the court determined he had moved to London after being dismissed by Real Madrid and thus did not meet Spain's residency requirements for taxation. 

Despite the prison sentence, Ancelotti is not expected to serve jail time.

Under Spanish law, sentences under two years for non-violent first-time offenders are typically suspended, meaning he will likely avoid incarceration and instead serve probation or pay the fine.

Ancelotti joins a list of high-profile football figures—including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and José Mourinho—who have faced similar tax evasion cases in Spain in recent years.

Ancelotti has already repaid the owed amount, and his defense argued that Real Madrid was responsible for the correct tax withholdings, asserting he never intended to commit fraud. 

Carlo Ancelotti left Real Madrid at the end of the 2024–25 season to take over as Brazil's head coach and remains one of the most decorated managers in football history. 

The Italian manager is also expected by the Brazillian to bring back the samba football legacy in the prestigious event such as Copa America and World Cup.